AGITATE Synonyms: 167 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'agitate' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of agitate are convulse , rock , and shake . While all these words mean "to move up and down or to and fro with some violence," agitate suggests a violent and prolonged tossing or stirring. // an ocean agitated by storms

Q: When is it sensible to use 'convulse' instead of 'agitate'?

The words convulse and agitate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, convulse suggests a violent pulling or wrenching as of a body in a paroxysm. // spectators were convulsed with laughter

Q: Where would 'rock' be a reasonable alternative to 'agitate'?

Although the words rock and agitate have much in common, rock suggests a swinging or swaying motion resulting from violent impact or upheaval. // the whole city was rocked by the explosion

Q: When can 'shake' be used instead of 'agitate'?

The meanings of shake and agitate largely overlap; however, shake often carries a further implication of a particular purpose. // shake well before using

agitate

verb

ˈa-jə-ˌtāt

Definition of agitate

as in to stir

to cause (as a liquid) to move about in a circle especially repeatedly this room could use a ceiling fan to agitate the stuffy air a bit

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to disturb

to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy there's no need to agitate the patient about little things

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to shake

to make a series of small irregular or violent movements set the washing machine so it will agitate for four minutes before going into the rinse cycle

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to discuss

to talk about (an issue) usually from various points of view and for the purpose of arriving at a decision or opinion a question which has been agitated by the legislature time and time again

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word agitate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of agitate are convulse, rock, and shake. While all these words mean "to move up and down or to and fro with some violence," agitate suggests a violent and prolonged tossing or stirring.

an ocean agitated by storms

When is it sensible to use convulse instead of agitate?

The words convulse and agitate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, convulse suggests a violent pulling or wrenching as of a body in a paroxysm.

spectators were convulsed with laughter

Where would rock be a reasonable alternative to agitate?

Although the words rock and agitate have much in common, rock suggests a swinging or swaying motion resulting from violent impact or upheaval.

the whole city was rocked by the explosion

When can shake be used instead of agitate?

The meanings of shake and agitate largely overlap; however, shake often carries a further implication of a particular purpose.

shake well before using

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of agitate One of the loudest voices in the cattle world agitating against the border reopening is Bill Bullard, the CEO of R-CALF, a national association of independent cattle and sheep farmers. — Max Saltman, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026 Whether that was a message to the fans getting agitated at a pause on signings or the board who were considering their next move, only Carrick knows. — Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026 Paramount and other groups, including cinema chain owners and some Hollywood unions, have agitated for a settlement to curtail months of uncertainty over whether the deal will go through. — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026 Don’t Overload the Washer Towels need enough room to be agitated and thoroughly washed in the machine, so avoid filling it to the brim. — Emily Benda Gaylord, The Spruce, 15 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for agitate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitate

Verb

In a crockery pot, my father steams cauliflower, stirring it round and round.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026
Posing for the sports trading app Novig, Sweeney has stirred a debate regarding oversexualization in the world of advertising.

— Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of stir

Verb

Food companies are trying to find ways to make products healthier or more affordable by changing ingredients without disturbing familiar textures.

— Dee-Ann Durbin, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
These changes can disturb the jet stream, the fast-moving westerly current of air in the atmosphere that helps steer weather systems around the Northern Hemisphere.

— Yongkang Xue, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of disturb

Verb

As Gansey greeted them, shaking hands, taking photos and smiling endlessly, one stepped forward with a question that encapsulated everything.

— Tony Jones, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
More than a year of demonstrations sometimes drawing hundreds of thousands of people shook Vucic more than ever during his 14 years in power.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of shake

Verb

What’s bothered me, though, is how its backers have anchored their messaging around a lot of misleading generalizations about the state of college sports.

— Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Having my mother in so much of the film [is what] bothers me.

— Merle Ginsberg, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of bother

Verb

Sound in modern brass instruments, such as French horns, trombones, and trumpets, is produced when the player vibrates their lips against a metal mouthpiece, moving air through the instrument’s tubing.

— Kara Rogers, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Sep. 2026
And the universal consciousness of light that vibrated at my frequency is what saved me.

— Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of vibrate

Verb

But scientists have debated what causes electrons to pair up and produce the effect.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
Collapse adds to debate over Kennedy Center renovations The collapse comes as the Kennedy Center board's plan to temporarily close the facility for a two-year renovation remains tied up in federal court.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of debate

Verb

Some of these elements are distracting, some are used as plot devices, and a few simply reek of misanthropy for its own sake.

— David Fear, Rolling Stone, 13 Sep. 2026
The pain distracted Garrett while facing a 49ers lineup that included three-time All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of distract

Browse Nearby Words

agita

agitate

agitated

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Agitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitate. Accessed 18 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of agitate

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

churlish

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 18

Popular

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes